EGRP News Flash - July 29, 2011

The Wellcome Trust has announced a call for proposals to support establishment of African networks to carry out research within the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (h4Africa) Initiative. The h4Africa Initiative is a partnership of the African Society of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Trust.

Its purpose is to hone the skills and resources of African scientists and establish a network of investigators to study the genetic and environmental determinants of communicable and non-communicable diseases impacting populations across the continent of Africa. To achieve this, the Initiative will support the creation and development of the necessary expertise and infrastructure in Africa and establish pan-African research networks. Results of studies will inform strategies to address and eliminate existing health inequalities and improve health outcomes.

Research awards will be granted to African institutions, and the principal applicant will be an African citizen or resident with a primary appointment in an African institution.

Initial expressions of interest must be submitted by September 16, 2011, via e-mail to Wellcome Trust. Other deadlines are: preliminary application - October 10, 2011; shortlisting exercise completed - end of Nov. 2011; invited full applications - March 2012 (date to be confirmed).

In addition to administrative and scientific support, the Initiative will receive over the next five years $8 million from the Wellcome Trust and additional funding from NIH, which anticipates issuing separately its own complementary call for applications.